The Score So Far (Health & Fitness)

[_Jersey Girl]

Thanks, RI. There are all types of people hiking all types of hikes on this trail. We're just two people among thousands poking along. Nbd. I just want to be skinny and beautiful.

Jersey, I saw that movie in the theater after having read the book and hiked the southern half'ish in 2015. I like Redford and Nolte, but I must say actors in their mid-40's should've played those roles. Read the book if you haven't (I don't recall if you mentioned anything about the book).

- Doc

Thanks, I bought it because I wanted to see the trail. Will consider the book but right now I'm reading yours...your travelogue!

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

So we had to hang here today since we were waiting on my wife's shoes to be delivered. Thought I'd share a nice conversation with a hiker we just met.

So I'm charging my electronics and this guy comes into the lounge and just starts crushing a bucket of chicken. He's your typical looking thru-hiker, fit, beard, and tired. We start to chat and he tells me he's been sober for 6 months and this hike is a tool to help him process through that challenge. He also tells me he's carrying his father's ashes to Katahdin. We then proceed to exchange philosophies about life and challenges and whatnot. Very cool how people who meet for a bit and are bonded by the common experience of hiking the trail are so willing to lay bare their souls to one another.

Just in one day I've had nice conversations with a lady who maintains the church's flower beds, a Marine who just got out and is hiking on terminal leave, an overweight girl who is using the trail to get into shape, a young couple hiking just to hike, and an old couple hiking the AT as a retirement challenge. Oh, and we encountered a young woman who was asleep at a booth in an Italian restaurant after having devoured half a pizza. Lol, just totally passed out. The owner said it wasn't unusual to see that.

Tomorrow we hit New Jersey (we're like one mile out). We've been told the trail gets better, rock wise, but I'll believe it when I walk it.

- Doc

[_Jersey Girl]

So we had to hang here today since we were waiting on my wife's shoes to be delivered. Thought I'd share a nice conversation with a hiker we just met.

So I'm charging my electronics and this guy comes into the lounge and just starts crushing a bucket of chicken. He's your typical looking thru-hiker, fit, beard, and tired. We start to chat and he tells me he's been sober for 6 months and this hike is a tool to help him process through that challenge. He also tells me he's carrying his father's ashes to Katahdin. We then proceed to exchange philosophies about life and challenges and whatnot. Very cool how people who meet for a bit and are bonded by the common experience of hiking the trail are so willing to lay bare their souls to one another.

Reminds me of a social aggregate. To me, the things that you learn about people and their stories is the one of life's most interesting of encounters. This man showed you his scars and his motivations. I think that his dual purpose in hiking the trail is amazing. I mean the man is taking a life changing journey carrying the ashes of the one who made his life possible.

Just in one day I've had nice conversations with a lady who maintains the church's flower beds, a Marine who just got out and is hiking on terminal leave, an overweight girl who is using the trail to get into shape, a young couple hiking just to hike, and an old couple hiking the AT as a retirement challenge. Oh, and we encountered a young woman who was asleep at a booth in an Italian restaurant after having devoured half a pizza. Lol, just totally passed out. The owner said it wasn't unusual to see that.

I love this! I wonder if any locals have written about their own experiences hosting AT hikers? What I wouldn't give to hike even part of that trail in fall when the leaves are changing. I'm going to ask you questions when you return.

You guys are killing me here. Killing me!

Tomorrow we hit New Jersey (we're like one mile out). We've been told the trail gets better, rock wise, but I'll believe it when I walk it.

Pics or it didn't happen!!! High Point used to be beautiful, I assume that it still is. Delaware Water Gap is, well, in my eyes it's awesome.

Enjoy!

Kill her. Take her pop tarts. ~ Nolte

[_Ceeboo]

What an awesome thread!

A sincere reading pleasure.

Thanks and peace,
Ceeboo

[_Jersey Girl]

What an awesome thread!

A sincere reading pleasure.

Thanks and peace,
Ceeboo

This is the best long-running thread on the entire board and it has been from the start. This thread was intended to be a kind of support thread. There's not even a hint of argument here, it's been nothing but peaceful and encouraging.

Cam's travelogue has catapulted the topic right into the inspirational stratosphere! Amazing, right? I've been researching the trip since he started posting. What he and Mrs. Cam are doing is no easy feat and far surpasses any hiking that I (at least) have ever done. I never thought he would post during the trip but I think I speak for everyone who has commented when I say that I'm very happy that he decided to share with us because it's just so darn cool.

I mean, I legit just got done painting rocks for my garden. It's what I do. That's how challenging my day has been.

They should be in Jersey by now if Mrs. Cam has got her new shoes. Cannot wait to see pics if there are any!

Stay tuned. I am.

:-)

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

We fist pumpin' through Jersey:










So, a few notes about Jersey...

- Jersey Girl is 100% from this place. While where we're at is super rural, bucolic, and charming (we stayed the night in Sussex county and the little town where we're at is post card cute) the people are chatty, up front about what's on their minds, and young and old alike casually throw '“F”' around like it were as natural as breathing. I like it. :) Accents are definitley noticeable here, too.

- The trail is a 1st cousin to PA's bull crap. Also mosquitos for days...

- Bears are everywhere so there are a lot of bear boxes which is nice. Super easy to just throw your food into the box instead of hanging it.

- Lots of people starting their hikes in Delaware Water Gap. It's nice because they overpack their food and fill up the hiker boxes with free crap. We've saved around $50 on free re-supply foodstuffs.

- Hiking is good for reading at night. I read A Song of Ice and Fire and I'm well into A Clash of Kings. I'm really not looking fwd to the Red Wedding.

- Hiking at 47 yo is harder than at 44 yo, and both ages are harder than hiking in my 20s and 30s. We're taking more breaks this time around which is fine. This is more Hiking Vacation than Hiking Crucible.

- For anyone thinking about doing this HIKE THE PCT FIRST. The AT should not be your first option. I will never come back when I'm done. NEVER!

- Doc

[_Lemmie]

Doc, welcome to New Jersey!

Thanks so much for posting your pics and comments, it is fascinating to follow along.

Yes, keep an eye out for those bears, especially if you see cubs. Just last week, another bear wandered the streets in a town near me, officials following along, but he had no intention of leaving so finally they had to tranq him and cart him back to "home." They are everywhere!

[_Jersey Girl]

We fist pumpin' through Jersey:

I am no-so-secretly thrilled!

So, a few notes about Jersey...

- Jersey Girl is 100% from this place. While where we're at is super rural, bucolic, and charming (we stayed the night in Sussex county and the little town where we're at is post card cute) the people are chatty, up front about what's on their minds, and young and old alike casually throw '“F”' around like it were as natural as breathing. I like it. :) Accents are definitley noticeable here, too.

Thank you for this. You're now one of the few people on MDB who can put me in context. Why is she so--"angry", "hostile", "ballistic", "abrasive"--she is not. She's just talking. With long years of experience interacting with LDS primarily from Utah, I've come to see that they project their motivations for using profanity on to me. That's not how it is. You can see that now. You can hear it now. And, I'm happy to know that you like it. :-)

As natural as breathing.

I so wish you could go down the shore and see the beaches, the Victorian houses, and get yourselves a slice on the boardwalk. Jersey has everything packed into one tiny over-populated state--mountains, farms, city, wetlands, beaches, and let's not forget the Pine Barrens--home of the Jersey Devil. But I digress...

- The trail is a 1st cousin to PA's bull crap. Also mosquitos for days...

I don't think the trail is going to stay that way. My understanding is that Jersey has at least a surprise little stretch of trail for you. I'm not saying what. You'll know it when you get there if you haven't already. As to the mosquitos...look up thread for my mention of "Jersey bombers". I know. I'm sorry. The humidity? Again, sorry! (by the way, it's 7% humidity here today. Okay, I'll stop. )

- Bears are everywhere so there are a lot of bear boxes which is nice. Super easy to just throw your food into the box instead of hanging it.

Good, good, on the bear boxes!

- Lots of people starting their hikes in Delaware Water Gap. It's nice because they overpack their food and fill up the hiker boxes with free crap. We've saved around $50 on free re-supply foodstuffs.

Nice! Free is good!

- Hiking is good for reading at night. I read A Song of Ice and Fire and I'm well into A Clash of Kings. I'm really not looking fwd to the Red Wedding.

- Hiking at 47 yo is harder than at 44 yo, and both ages are harder than hiking in my 20s and 30s. We're taking more breaks this time around which is fine. This is more Hiking Vacation than Hiking Crucible.

- For anyone thinking about doing this HIKE THE PCT FIRST. The AT should not be your first option. I will never come back when I'm done. NEVER!

- Doc

Why hike the PCT first?

I think a "Hiking Vacation" makes more sense than racing through it when there are places to see and people to meet and food to try? Why race through a part of America when you can actually experience it by taking a break in the towns along the way? You guys are really getting a taste of the flavor and personality of each state that you're moving through.

Hike your own hike. It'll always be a part of you both.

And, be safe! **waves to Mrs. Cam** Damn girl, you have to be one special lady to do this!

:-)

[_Jersey Girl]

Did you guys ever see Animal again?

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

Did you guys ever see Animal again?

We did! He caught us in Unionville, NY. We're totes besties nau.

- Doc